A 92-year-old motorist who collided with a driving instructor and his student after he drove across the A12 had held a clean driving licence for 70 years, it emerged last night.

A 92-year-old motorist who collided with a driving instructor and his student after he drove across the A12 had held a clean driving licence for 70 years, it emerged last night.

But Sidney Taylor's long unblemished record has now been tarnished after he admitted driving without due care and attention near Hopton.

Mr Taylor, who was born in June 1915, collided with a driving instructor and his student after he had pulled out on the A12 to turn off at a junction in his Renault Clio on the morning of November 28 last year.

Yesterday Mr Taylor, of Links Road, Gorleston, Norfolk, was given six points on his licence and fined £300 after he pleaded guilty by post to his driving offence - his first ever.

After his court hearing Mr Taylor said he had been driving for 70 years.

Yarmouth magistrates court heard that Mr Taylor was waiting on the A12 to pull out into the Jay Lane when he decided to cross - even though cars were coming his way.

The other car involved with the accident was being driven by a youngster on his driving test.

In submitted evidence driving instructor Richard Slater said: “Without warning the elderly driver drove out and increased speed. Both myself and the candidate applied brakes.”

The vehicle Mr Slater was in hit a kerb and both cars suffered damage in the collision. No one reported any injuries.

In evidence to police Mr Taylor said as he pulled out 'I did not observe the vehicle I collided with'.

The court heard Mr Taylor turned down the chance to sit a driver improvement course instead of being given a fine and penalty points because he felt his driving was not bad.

In a letter read out to magistrates Mr Taylor said: “Unfortunately my judgement was faulty. There was an accident.

“I am remorseful of what happened. I realise I could and should have acted more carefully.”

Mr Taylor is due to have a driving sight test and have his driving licence renewed next year.

He said: “There is nothing more I can tell. I have been driving for 70 years.”

Magistrates also ordered Mr Taylor to pay prosecution costs of £50 and a surcharge of £15.